Machine derived contents note: 100 Questions & Answers About Hepatitis C: A Lahey Clinic Guide -- Stephen C. Fahey, MD and R. Anand Narasimhan, MD -- Dedication -- Preface -- Introduction -- Part 1: Introduction (The Basics) -- Questions 1-8 provide background information for understanding hepatitis C, covering such topics as: -- What is hepatitis C? -- What can hepatitis C do? -- What should I do now that my doctor says I have hepatitis C? -- Part 2: Transmission -- (Questions 9-17) address concerns about how hepatitis is transmitted and prevention: -- What are the most common risk factors for hepatitis C? -- Can hepatitis C be spread through sexual contact? -- What is the risk of acquiring hepatitis C from a needlestick injury? -- Is there a vaccine to prevent hepatitis C? -- Part 3: Natural History and Symptoms -- Questions 18-24 discuss symptoms and other factors associated with hepatitis C: -- What are symptoms and signs of hepatitis C infection? -- What is the best way to monitor the liver in hepatitis C? -- What is the relationship between hepatitis C and alcohol? -- Can hepatitis C lead to problems outside of the liver? -- Part 4: Testing and Evaluation -- Questions 25-36 cover available tests and methods for evaluation: -- Can you give me an overview of testing and evaluation? -- What is a liver biopsy? -- What about hepatitis A and hepatitis B? -- What other tests might be checked in a patient with hepatitis C? -- Part 5: Treatment -- Questions 37-50 explore treatment options and choices: -- Can hepatitis C be cured and how is that defined? -- Who should be treated and who should not be treated? -- What is my chance of a cure? -- What are the possible outcomes of treatment and what happens if I am not cured? -- Can I choose not to have treatment? -- Part 6: Treatment Side Effects -- Questions 51-62 address common side effects associated with treatment: -- Are there any treatments for side effects? -- What can I do about sleep problems, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms? -- What can I do about irritability and depression? -- What can I do about digestive problems? -- Tell me about other less common side effects? -- When should treatment be stopped? -- Part 7: Special Situations -- Questions 63-68 help patients cope with special situations, such as: -- What if I have a new case of acute hepatitis C infection? -- What if I have mild kidney disease or even kidney failure? -- What if I have HIV and hepatitis C? -- What if I have hepatitis B and hepatitis C? -- What about hepatitis C in children? -- Part 8: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Options -- Questions 69-79 explore the role of complementary and alternative medicine options: -- What is the role of CAM in hepatitis C? -- Tell me about diet? -- Part 9: Cirrhosis -- Questions 80-85 provide answers about cirrhosis as it relates to hepatitis C: -- What is cirrhosis? -- What are the signs and symptoms of cirrhosis? -- What are the complications of cirrhosis? -- Can I be treated for hepatitis C if I have cirrhosis? -- Part 10: Liver Cancer -- Questions 86-91 answer common questions about liver cancer, such as: -- What are the signs and symptoms of liver cancer? -- Who should be screened for liver cancer and how? -- What are the treatment options for liver cancer? -- Part 11: Liver Transplantation -- Questions 92-98 cover the risks, recurrence and treatment before and after a liver transplant. -- What are the risks of surgery and what is the difference between deceased donor and living donor liver transplantation? -- How long are medications taken after a liver transplant? -- Does hepatitis C come back after a liver transplant? -- Can hepatitis C be treated after a liver transplant? -- Part 12: The Future -- Questions 99-100 offer candid account of current rate of cure and tremendous optimism for the future -- Are there any new treatment options for hepatitis C? -- What should I expect in the future? -- Resources -- Glossary -- Index.